I visited this mine today Sunday Dec 14 and got into a conversation with a gentleman who drew my attention to the archive photo recently uploaded of which I was unaware. He advised that he had been searching for the nearby Monsall Head Mine but could find no trace. We speculated that these two mines may be one and the same. The conversation moved to the blocked railway entrance and we agreed that it very likely predated the railway. I know that when open it immediately lead to a 20 ft ladder.
Searching my extensive library I find a copy of Richard Birds "Britains Old Metal Mines" and there is an undergound photo, circs 1976 ish at my guess from the publication date of the book, a real collectors item if ever there was one. Reproduced below, "Dickie" gave me permission a while back to use his photographs, at the time he was activelly uploadeding them all to aditnow. We all know where that went.
I also have the PDMHS volume to dig out and have a read
If you look carefully at the photo you will see a ladder in the far background. This may well be the old entry point from the railway.
I went on to look at the only open entry point, an "ah" moment. If anyone has had the nerve to get in there and take some photos, I am sure I speak for everyone in that we would all be grateful.
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